Unique Eclipse Postage Stamp To Be Unveiled In Wyoming

A first-of-its-kind postage stamp commemorating the August 21st total solar eclipse will be unveiled in Laramie, Wyoming. The Total Eclipse Forever Stamp, transforms into an image of the Moon from the heat of a finger, according to the U.S. Postal Service. The back of the stamp pane is a map of the path of the eclipse, and times it appears at various locations. Casper, Wyoming, is directly in that path and eclipse celebrations and festivities are being planned in Casper and other Wyoming towns for the event.

U.S. Postal Service

Tens of millions of people across the country are hoping to view the rare eclipse, which hasn't been seen since 1979 on the U.S. mainland. This will be the first time since 1918 the eclipse will travel a path across the entire country.

The Postal Service says the Total Solar Eclipse Stamp uses thermochromic ink, and rubbing the eclipse image between your fingers will reveal an underlying image of a full Moon. Both photographs were taken by astrophysicist Fred Espenak, during a total solar eclipse seen from Libya in 2006.

The First-Day-of-Issue ceremony will take place at the University of Wyoming Art Museum at 1:30 p.m. on June 20th. That's the day the University is celebrating the summer solstice, and people who arrive early can witness another unique event. At noon on the summer solstice, a unique architectural feature allows a beam of sunlight to shine on a silver dollar embedded in the floor of the UW Art Museum's Rotunda Gallery.